ISC Secretary General Strengthens Parliamentary Cooperation with Azerbaijan
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) Secretary General Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal
undertook an official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, from 6 to 8 August 2026, strengthening
parliamentary ties between the ISC and the Milli Majlis, the Parliament of the Republic of
Azerbaijan.
The visit aimed to further develop relations between the ISC and the Milli Majlis, explore
avenues for cooperation with other Turkic states, and advance the ISC’s broader parliamentary
diplomacy efforts. The visit also included an invitation for Azerbaijan to participate in the ISC’s
2nd General Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and discussions on strengthening
cooperation with international parliamentary institutions.
During the bilateral meeting at the Milli Majlis on 7 August, H.E. Fariz Ismayilzade, Deputy Chair
of the Science and Education Committee briefed the ISC delegation on the Azerbaijani
Parliament’s international engagement and its cooperation with parliamentary organizations at
the global and regional levels. He highlighted the Milli Majlis’ active participation in regional and
global parliamentary organizations.
Secretary General Dhakal presented the ISC’s work and highlighted the outcomes of the
inaugural ISC General Assembly in Islamabad, as well as preparations for the 2nd General
Assembly in Phnom Penh.
The Azerbaijani side expressed support for closer engagement with the ISC, noting the shared
basis between the two institutions and the ISC’s growing parliamentary diplomacy with countries
around the world.
The visit also included a visit to ADA University, where H.E. Fariz Ismayilzade, who also serves
as Vice Chancellor, introduced the ISC delegation to university leadership and faculty members.
He invited Secretary General Dhakal to deliver a special lecture at the university, opening
another potential avenue for academic and diplomatic exchange.
On 8 August, Secretary General Dhakal visited the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of
Turkic States (TURKPA) in Baku. The meeting, arranged following the recommendation of
Speaker Gafarova, provided an opportunity for the ISC to learn more about TURKPA’s structure
and activities and to explore areas of mutual interest.
The official visit underscored the ISC’s continued efforts to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy
and expand cooperation with national and regional parliamentary institutions. Through
engagements with the Milli Majlis, ADA University, and TURKPA, the visit opened new avenues
for dialogue, institutional exchange, and future cooperation between the ISC and partners in
Azerbaijan and the wider Turkic region.
